Preamble To The Revised Family Code

WHEREAS, the family, being the natural basis of society, shall be protected by the society and the state, and that one of the means of protection is effected by regulating and governing family relation by law;

WHEREAS, it has become essential to make the existing Ethiopian family law in accordance with the socio-economic development of the society and, above all, with the Constitution of the country, and, in particular, realizing that marriage shall be based on the free consent of the spouses, and that it is necessary to provide the legal basis which guarantees the equality of the spouses during the conclusion, duration and dissolution of marriage;

WHEREAS, it has become necessary to amend the existing law in such a way that it gives priority to the well-being, upbringing and protection of children in accordance with the Constitution and International Instruments which Ethiopia has ratified;

WHEREAS, it is found necessary to settle disputes arising in family by a competent organ in a just and efficient manner;
WHEREAS, in order to realize these objectives, it has become essential that a family law be enacted by the House of Peoples’ Representative to be applicable in administration that are directly accountable to the Federal Government;

NOW, THERFORE, in accordance with Article 55(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, it is hereby proclaimed as follows:

1. Short Title
This proclamation may be cited as the “Revised Family Code Proclamation No. 213/2000.”
2. Effective Date
The Revised Family Code of 2000, as published in a separate volume appearing as Extraordinary Issue No. 1 of 2000 of the Federal Negarit Gazeta, shall come into forces as of the 4th day of July, 2000.